Compact light weight energy-efficient illumination module for integrated portable applications

ABSTRACT

A compact, light weight and energy-efficient illumination module is described for inclusion into a variety of portable products such as an organizer, a book and a handbag. The illumination module allows for convenient, energy-efficient viewing, reading or writing with the portable products. The illumination module comprises a light source, a standalone electrical power source such as a battery, a switching electrical circuit having an integrated user-operated switch, an enclosure and a mechanically adjustable attachment for including the enclosure into the portable products. Upon activation, the light source of the illumination module emits a locally directed spatial illumination light pattern onto the portable product for reading.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field ofillumination of portable consumer products for the purpose of viewing,reading or writing. More particularity, the present invention disclosesa compact, lightweight and energy-efficient illumination module forinclusion into a wide variety of portable consumer products to allowviewing, reading or writing with the portable consumer products in adark environment by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The need and associated art of illumination for viewing in thedark has been around for thousands of years in the human history. Ahandheld burning torch is a primitive example. A set of AC-poweredkilowatt Xenon arc lamps for the illumination of a whole baseball fieldcan be a modern example. A handheld battery powered flashlight is amodem example of illumination for a privately directed viewing ofobjects in the dark. However, for the convenient, privately directed,energy-efficient viewing of portable consumer products such as anorganizer or a handbag in the dark there has been a general lacking ofsuitable products in the market to date.

SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention is directed to an illumination module forinclusion into a number of portable consumer products for theconvenient, privately directed viewing of such portable consumerproducts in the dark.

[0004] The first objective of this invention is for the illuminationmodule to be low cost, compact and lightweight.

[0005] The second objective of this invention is for the illuminationmodule to be energy-efficient.

[0006] The third objective of this invention is for the illuminationmodule to be highly versatile so that it can be included into a widevariety of portable consumer products.

[0007] Other objectives, together with the foregoing are attained in theexercise of the invention in the following description and resulting inthe embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] The current invention will be better understood and the nature ofthe objectives set forth above will become apparent when considerationis given to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments. For clarity of explanation, the detailed descriptionfurther makes reference to the attached drawings herein:

[0009]FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a first embodiment of the presentinvention of an illumination module that is included into a cover of anorganizer via a flexible closure and locking dual function arm;

[0010]FIG. 2 illustrates the detailed internal construction of the firstembodiment of the present invention of the illumination module;

[0011]FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate a second embodiment of the presentinvention of an illumination module that is included into a cover of abook via a flexible book mark tab;

[0012]FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate a third embodiment of the presentinvention of an illumination module that is included into an insidecover of a book via a multi-axis adjustable and foldable cantilever; and

[0013]FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention of an illumination module that is affixed onto the interior ofa hand bag via a repositionable valcrel attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In the following detailed description of the present invention,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will become obviousto those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well known methods,procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detailto avoid unnecessary obscuring aspects of the present invention.

[0015] Reference herein to “one embodiment” or an “embodiment” meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristics described inconnection with the embodiment can be included in at least oneembodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternativeembodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

[0016]FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate a first embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 1A an illumination module 10 is shown to be includedinto an organizer cover 102 of an organizer 100 via a mechanicallyadjustable attachment 30 that is part of the illumination module 10. Asillustrated, the mechanically adjustable attachment 30 is in a closedposition locking the illumination module 10 against an exterior surfaceof the organizer cover 102. This is the non-operating position of theillumination module 10. The details of the related locking mechanism isnot shown as there are many varieties of locking mechanisms well knownin the art. Upon opening of the organizer cover 102 and the mechanicallyadjustable attachment 30 into its operating position, as illustrated inFIG. 1B, an organizer page 104 of the organizer 100 can now be read by auser. Furthermore, the illumination module 10 can be switched on, with ameans to be presently described, to emit a spatial illumination lightpattern 50 illuminating the organizer page 104 to allow the viewing,reading or writing of the organizer page 104 either in a darkenvironment by a user with a normal vision or in a normal environment bya user with a weak vision. The mechanically adjustable attachment 30thus functions as a dual function arm for flexibly linking and lockingthe illumination module 10 against the organizer cover 102. As theillumination module 10 is integrated with the organizer cover 102 ahands free usage of the illumination module 10 is practical thusproviding operational convenience to the user. Additionally, the spatialillumination light pattern 50 of the illumination module 10 only needsto operate within a short distance of the illuminated organizer page104. Therefore, the spatial illumination light pattern 50 can bedesigned to be of low power with relatively high directionality thuseffecting an energy-efficient operation with good viewing privacy. Bythe same token, the illumination module 10 can also be made to be verycompact and lightweight.

[0017]FIG. 2 illustrates the same first embodiment of the presentinvention of the illumination module 10 with details of its internalconstruction revealed. To reveal the details of the internalconstruction of the illumination module 10, the mechanically adjustableattachment 30 is purposely shown to be bent and broken into two pieces.Thus, inside the enclosure 20 of the illumination module 10, theillumination module 10 further comprises a light source 12 emitting thespatial illumination light pattern 50, a standalone electrical powersource 14 and a user-operated switch 18 connected with a switchingelectrical circuit 16. To be consistent with the intended application,the light source 12 should be selected of a type that is compact,lightweight and energy-efficient. For example, the light source 12 canbe made up of a set of one or more high efficiency Light Emitting Diodes(LED), each having a selected intensity and a selected primary emissivecolor such as red, green and blue. For a second example, the individualLED can itself be a composite color from some of the primary emissivecolors. In any case, depending upon the primary spectral reflectivity ofthe organizer page 104, the resulting intensity and color spectrum ofthe spatial illumination light pattern 50 should produce a reflectedcolor image of the organizer page 104 with sufficient intensity andcontrast for useful viewing or reading in a dark environment by theuser. For a third example, the light source 12 can be made up of a setof one or more LEDs, each having a selected intensity and a selectedprimary emissive color or a composite color thereof such that theresulting color spectrum of the spatial illumination light pattern 50approximates a visual sensation of white light thus producing areflected image of the organizer page 104 with sufficient intensity andnatural color for natural viewing or reading in the dark. For a fourthexample, the light source 12 can be made up of a set of one or moreminiature incandescent lights, each having a selected intensity suchthat the resulting intensity of the spatial illumination light pattern50 produces a reflected color image of the organizer page 104 withsufficient intensity and contrast for useful and natural viewing orreading in the dark.

[0018] The standalone electrical power source 14, to be compact andlight weight, should preferably be made up of a set of one or moreelectrically connected batteries. For convenience of usage, thebatteries should be designed to be user-replaceable. Alternatively, thebatteries can be selected to be the rechargeable type with an optionallyintegrated recharging circuitry. The switching electrical circuit 16,together with the user-operated switch 18 and the standalone electricalpower source 14, function to turn on or off the light source 12 by theuser as desired.

[0019] Still referring to FIG. 2, an enclosure 20 is designed forholding and protecting the light source 12, the standalone electricalpower source 14, the switching electrical circuit 16 and theuser-operated switch 18. To be compact and lightweight, the enclosure 20can be any one or a combination of a plastic case, a leather case, afoam case of proper durometer or a sheet metal case.

[0020] The mechanically adjustable attachment 30, for including theenclosure 20 into the organizer 100 to be properly illuminated by thespatial illumination light pattern 50, preferably should be easilydeformable for adjustment by the user while maintaining its rigidityafterwards. As an example, the mechanically adjustable attachment 30 canbe constructed out of a deformable metal wire frame that is furtherenclosed with a rubber-like skin for esthetics.

[0021]FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate a second embodiment of the presentinvention of the illumination module 10 that is included into a bookcover 204 of a book 200 via a mechanically adjustable attachment 30 thatis, in this case, a flexible book mark tab. In FIG. 3A the book cover204 is shown in its closed position while the illumination module 10 ispurposely left open to show its light source 12 and enclosure 20. Anaccompanying arrow is also shown to illustrate the direction of movementto close the illumination module 10 against the book cover 204 forstorage in a non-operating mode. In FIG. 3B, the book cover 204 is shownin its open position revealing a book page 202 to be read by a user.Correspondingly, the illumination module 10 is positioned in itsoperating position via the mechanically adjustable attachment 30 thatis, as mentioned above, a flexible book mark tab. The light source 12,now switched on although hidden from the view, of the illuminationmodule 10 emits a spatial illumination light pattern 50 onto the bookpage 202 to be read in the dark.

[0022]FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate a third embodiment of the presentinvention of the illumination module that is included into the inside ofa book cover 204 of a book 200 via a mechanically adjustable attachment30 that is a multi-axis adjustable and foldable cantilever structurecomprising a lower cantilever beam 31 and an upper cantilever beam 32.The lower cantilever beam 31 is rotatably attached to the book cover 204via a lower hinge 33 with a double arrow headed arc illustrating therotational adjustment of the lower cantilever beam 31. The uppercantilever beam 32, holding the illumination module emitting the spatialillumination light pattern 50, is rotatably attached to the lowercantilever beam 31 via an upper hinge 34 with another double arrowheaded arc illustrating the rotational adjustment of the uppercantilever beam 32. In this way, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the spatialillumination light pattern 50 can be linearly positioned and angularlyaimed, by a user, at a book page 202 of the book 200 for proper readingin the dark. In FIG. 4A, the mechanically adjustable attachment 30 ofmulti-axis adjustable and foldable cantilever structure is shown foldedflatly against the inside of the book cover 204 in an unused positionthat is also non-obtrusive to reading under, for example, normaldaylight.

[0023]FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention of an illumination module 10 that is affixed onto an insidesurface 304 of a handbag 300 via a repositionable valcrel attachment.FIG. 5A illustrates the handbag 300 with a handbag cover 302 in itsclosed position for the handbag 300 to be carried around by a user. Withthe handbag cover 302 opened up, FIG. 5B, the enclosure 20 of theillumination module 10 is shown attached onto the inside surface 304 ofthe handbag 300 via a repositionable valcrel attachment 36. The detailedstructure and function of the repositionable valcrel attachment 36,being well known in the art, is not illustrated here for simplicity.Thus, the location of a spatial illumination light pattern 50 emitted bya light source 12 of the illumination module 10 can be properlypositioned by a user to view the contents of the handbag 300 in thedark.

[0024] As described with four exemplary cases of design, a compact,light weight and energy-efficient illumination module for inclusion intoa number of portable products for convenient, privately directed,energy-efficient viewing, reading or writing with the portable productsin the dark. The invention has been described using exemplary preferredembodiments. However, for those skilled in this field, the preferredembodiments can be easily adapted and modified to suit additionalapplications without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention. For example, the illumination module can be adapted toinclude in an address book, an accounting book, a notebook, a fileholder, a brief case, a purse and a wallet. Thus, it is to be understoodthat the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements based upon the same operatingprinciple. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded thebroadest interpretations so as to encompass all such modifications andsimilar arrangements.

I claim:
 1. A compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illuminationmodule for inclusion into a wide variety of portable devices to provideillumination for said portable devices, comprising: a light source; astandalone electrical power source; a switching electrical circuithaving an integrated user-operated switching means for switchablyconnecting the electrical power source to the light source therebycausing said light source to emit a spatial illumination light pattern;an enclosure means for holding and protecting the light source, thestandalone electrical power source and the switching electrical circuit;and a mechanically adjustable attachment means for inclusion of theenclosure means into the portable devices whereby the portable devicesare locally illuminated with the spatial illumination light pattern forconvenient, privately directed, energy-efficient viewing, reading orwriting.
 2. The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illuminationmodule of claim 1 wherein the light source further comprises a set ofone or more Light Emitting Diodes (LED) to generate a reflected colorimage of the portable devices with sufficient intensity and contrast foruseful viewing or reading of the said portable products in a darkenvironment.
 3. The compact, light-weight and energy-efficientillumination module of claim 1 wherein the light source furthercomprises a set of one or more LED to generate a color spectrum of thespatial illumination light pattern approximating a visual sensation ofwhite light thus producing a reflected image of the portable productswith sufficient intensity and natural color for natural viewing orreading of the said portable devices in a dark environment.
 4. Thecompact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of claim1 wherein the light source further comprises a set of one or moreminiature incandescent lights, each having a selected intensity wherebythe resulting intensity of the spatial illumination light pattern fromthe said light source produces a reflected color image of the portabledevices with sufficient intensity and contrast for useful and naturalviewing or reading of the said portable products in a dark environment.5. The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module ofclaim 1 wherein the standalone electrical power source further comprisesa set of one or more user-replaceable batteries.
 6. The compact,light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of claim 5 whereinthe standalone electrical power source further comprises a set of one ormore rechargeable batteries with an optionally integrated rechargingcircuitry.
 7. The compact, light-weight and energy-efficientillumination module of claim 1 wherein the enclosure means is selectedfrom a group of structures consisting of a plastic case, a leather case,a foam case, and a sheet metal case.
 8. The compact, light-weight andenergy-efficient illumination module of claim 1 wherein said widevariety of portable devices include, but not limited to, an organizer,an address book, an accounting book, a notebook, a book, a file holder,a brief case, a hand bag, a purse and a wallet.
 9. The compact,light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of claim 8 whereinthe mechanically adjustable attachment means comprises a flexibleclosure and locking dual function arm integrated with a cover of theorganizer.
 10. The compact, light-weight and energy-efficientillumination module of claim 8 wherein the mechanically adjustableattachment means comprises a flexible bookmark tab integrated with acover of the book.
 11. The compact, light-weight and energy-efficientillumination module of claim 8 wherein the mechanically adjustableattachment means comprises a multi-axis adjustable and foldablecantilever integrated with an inside cover of the book.
 12. The compact,light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of claim 8 whereinthe mechanically adjustable attachment means comprises a repositionablevalcrel integrated with an inside surface of a handbag.